Ubi: "Tagesschau" reported one-sidedly in the Holenweger case
The Independent Complaints Authority (Ubi) accuses the «Tagesschau» of providing one-sided information and violating the principle of objectivity. In the case of former Zurich private banker Oskar Holenweger, the noon edition of the SF news program failed to present Holenweger’s perspective and also omitted the presumption of innocence.
The Ubi therefore approved a complaint by 5 votes to 3. The complaint came from a person who was not directly affected; it was supported by 127 co-signatories. The "Tagesschau" report in question was broadcast on December 18, 2009, after the deputy federal investigating judge had informed the media of the conclusion of the preliminary investigation against Holenweger.
The extra-parliamentary commission criticized the news programme for presenting a "one-sided picture". Only the investigating judge's point of view was expressed. In contrast, the audience was told nothing about the views of the accused. The editors had neither summarized relevant passages from the investigating judge's media release, nor had they pointed out that they had not received a statement from Holenweger by the broadcast date. There was also no explicit reference to the presumption of innocence. Overall, the public was "unable to form its own opinion", writes Ubi.
However, it rejected a complaint against the main edition of "Tagesschau", as Holenweger's position was mentioned twice there. Ubi's decisions can be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court. In the event of a legally binding decision, SF must inform Ubi within 30 days of the measures it has taken to avoid similar infringements in the future.
The extra-parliamentary commission criticized the news programme for presenting a "one-sided picture". Only the investigating judge's point of view was expressed. In contrast, the audience was told nothing about the views of the accused. The editors had neither summarized relevant passages from the investigating judge's media release, nor had they pointed out that they had not received a statement from Holenweger by the broadcast date. There was also no explicit reference to the presumption of innocence. Overall, the public was "unable to form its own opinion", writes Ubi.
However, it rejected a complaint against the main edition of "Tagesschau", as Holenweger's position was mentioned twice there. Ubi's decisions can be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court. In the event of a legally binding decision, SF must inform Ubi within 30 days of the measures it has taken to avoid similar infringements in the future.
